“A photographer must be prepared to catch and hold on to those elements which give distinction to the subject or lend it atmosphere. They are often momentary, chance-sent things: a gleam of light on water, a trail of smoke from a passing train, a cat crossing a threshold, the shadows cast by a setting sun. Sometimes they are a matter of luck; the photographer could not expect or hope for them. Sometimes they are a matter of patience, waiting for an effect to be repeated that he has seen and lost or for one that he anticipates.”|
– Bill Brandt

Whether you’re packing a fancy camera or exploring with your smartphone during your study abroad adventures, here are a few tips to make your photos all the more impressive when you show your friends back home or post to your socials:

1.  KEEP AN EYE ON THE LIGHT. Head out to take pictures when the sky is slightly cloudy or when the sun is not directly overhead, and you’ll find a shot with softer light. In most cases, you’ll want to keep the sun behind you. Go outside early to catch the sunrise glow or enjoy the evening “blue hour” for a different twist on your surroundings.

2.  STAY STILL. For a high-quality shot, be still and hold your camera or phone as steadily as possible, especially in low light. You might be able to find a surface to perch or lean it on, or you can tuck your elbows close to your body if you’re holding a camera to your eye. If you’re more serious about your photography, consider picking up a small gorilla pod or tripod to take with you.

3.  THINK ABOUT COMPOSITION. What’s in your frame? What’s around the edges of your subject? Are the straight lines straight? Are there “leading lines” that guide the eye further into the photo? Are you arranging the subject in accordance with the “rule of thirds” or does it make sense to rebel against that “rule” on this occasion? Look for patterns and symmetry and interactions between people and their environment, whether intentional or not. Most importantly, ask yourself: does your photo tell a story or capture the essence of this place?

4.  THINK DIFFERENTLY. How many photos are out there of the London Eye or the Duomo that all look more or less the same? How can you capture the same iconic site differently? Can you find a new angle? Can you scout Google Maps and find a place to photograph it from a nearby location, perhaps from higher up? Can you back up or move closer or find something to peek through to give it a unique frame?

5.  PAY ATTENTION TO BACKGROUND CLUTTER. If you shift your body one way or another, or move the camera up or down, can you find a cleaner shot? Is there is street pylon or electricity lines that can be avoided or a garbage bag that doesn’t have to appear in the shot? Are their messy tree branches in the background when a few steps along you might find a bright blue sky?

6.  WAIT A MINUTE. Is there a car driving through your photo or a person walking past your subject that you could avoid if you waited briefly? Or perhaps waiting until a person walks into your shot instead would make it more interesting?

7.  ADD A HUMAN ELEMENT. As above, sometimes a photo—especially a travel photo—is more interesting with a human in it. It doesn’t have to be a straight-on portrait of a local, but a more subtle glimpse of humanity in the form of a hand or someone walking past a building or through a landscape will show off the scale of your surroundings and bring life into the shot.

8.  ASK FOR PERMISSION. Speaking of humans, sometimes you’ll spot a great idea for a shot, but it involves photographing a person as the main subject. Often, if you ask permission, they will be happy to allow you to take a photo of them. If you don’t know the local language, make eye contact and lift your camera. They’ll understand and give you a yes or no. If it’s a no, respect their wishes and move on.

9.  LEAVE THE BEATEN PATH. Explore your location beyond the well-trodden tourist trails and you’ll find some real gems. Be sure to avoid any areas that locals tell you are unsafe. Use your intuition and bring a friend or a group or even a local guide for the best experience.

10. WALK CLOSER INSTEAD OF ZOOMING IN. Move your feet! It’s tempting just to zoom in when a subject is a bit further away than you’d like it to be, but in most cases, you can just as easily step slightly closer and that will help you to avoid the loss of quality that can happen when you zoom in too much. This is especially true with a phone camera.

11. EMBRACE EDITING, BUT NOT TOO MUCH. Post-processing can transform an ordinary shot into an extraordinary one. Use a free program, or even just the editing options on your phone, to improve your photos after you’ve taken them. Simply straightening an image can make a huge difference, as can adjusting the shadows or the white balance just a tad. Filters and pre-sets are fun for adding effects, but often the best result comes from making just the essential minimal adjustments.

12. FIND INSPIRATION. Whether it’s through Instagram or a travel magazine, find photographs of your location that you love and try to take the same images yourself…and then try again and give them your own twist or improve them in some way.

13.  PRACTICE. Makes perfect!